Jazz bassist Charlie Haden and Quartet West perform Oct. 2

Widely considered to be among the greatest-ever jazz bassists, Charlie Haden expands jazz into a wide scope of genres when he performs Oct. 2 at North Central College.

Haden has been an inspiration among some of the greatest artists of his time. His influence and talents allowed collaborations with a remarkable range of musicians, including Hank Jones, Dewey Redman and Kenny Barron. His collaboration with Pat Metheny on "Beyond the Missouri Sky" led to a shared Grammy win in 1997 for Best Jazz Instrumental Individual/Small Group.

Charlie Haden and Quartet West will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in North Central's Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $55 and $45; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Born in Shenandoah, Iowa, Haden began his life in music almost immediately, singing on his parents' country and western radio show at age 22 months. After his move to Los Angeles in 1957, he began his work with such legends as Art Pepper, Hampton Hawes and Dexter Gordon.

Haden's career gained speed in 1959 when he joined artistic forces with Ornette Coleman, jazz saxophonist and pioneer of the free jazz movement. This collaboration marked the formation of the pair's trademark quartet with Don Cherry and Billy Higgins. Their signature and still influential work paved the way for Haden's work to follow with John Coltrane, Archie Shepp and Keith Jarrett-household names of any avid jazz fan.

Haden established the jazz studies program at California Institute of the Arts in 1982 and has earned countless honors from around the globe, including the Los Angeles Jazz Society prize for Jazz Educator of the Year, a Guggenheim fellowship, Montreal Jazz Festival's Miles Davis Award and an additional Grammy Award along with a multitude of nominations.

His recent album, "Land of the Sun," received rave reviews across the board. "Bassist Charlie Haden makes CDs that are true albums-not merely song collections, but integrated, thoroughly conceived works about something," says The New Republic.

Quartet West includes jazz legends Ernie Watts on saxophone, Alan Broadbent on piano and Rodney Green on drums.

Haden's performance is the first of five from North Central College's Jazz Series. Tickets are on sale now for individual shows, season and series subscribers; call 630-637-SHOW (7469).

This performance is one of many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).